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| 2000 |
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April 11, 2000, saw the beginning of a new era as the Tigers were welcomed into their new home, Comerica Park. Opening Day saw 34-degree weather, a sold-out crowd, and a 5-2 win against Seattle.
Also in 2000, right-hander Todd Jones won the Rolaids Relief Man Award, making 42 saves in 46 save situations. |
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| 2004 |
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A combination of veteran additions and maturing youngsters made the struggles of 2003 a distant memory with the second-largest year-to-year improvement in American League history.
The Tigers swept the Blue Jays in Toronto, then took their home opener over the Twins for their best start since 1985 and set up their first winning April since 1993. Ivan Rodriguez, signed two weeks before Spring Training when other teams passed on him, quickly became the face and heart of the franchise. His .500 average in June was only the third such performance by a Major Leaguer in a calendar month in 25 years. He earned the Tigers their first All-Star starter since 1991. Carlos Guillen, acquired by trade from Seattle, became the best Tigers shortstop since Alan Trammell with one of the best all-around hitting seasons ever from a Tiger. |
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| 2005 |
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In a season that began with so much promise for the Tigers, injuries to key players and a lack of consistency resulted in a fourth-place finish for a club that expected to contend for the American League Central title. It also led to the dismissal of former Tigers All-Star Alan Trammell as the team's skipper.
Dmitri Young got the year started off in impressive fashion, homering three times in an Opening Day blowout of the Royals. But the Tigers suffered a tough blow when slugger Magglio Ordonez, signed to a five-year, $75 million deal in the offseason, suffered a hernia in April that would keep him out until July. Injuries took their toll throughout the season as closer Troy Percival, shortstop Carlos Guillen and outfielder Rondell White also missed significant amounts of time. Catcher Ivan Rodriguez played valiantly though injuries, but he wasn't able to replicate his numbers from 2004.
Among the bright spots were Chris Shelton, who hit .299 with 18 homers after being called up, and Curtis Granderson, who took over the center field job with his strong defensive play and timely hitting. Newcomer Placido Polanco enjoyed a solid season and was named Tiger of the Year for his efforts, and Carlos Pena rebounded from a demotion in a big way. Craig Monroe (team-leading 89 RBIs) and Nook Logan (23 steals) also made big contributions, while Jeremy Bonderman showed in the first half why he's the Tigers' ace and Mike Maroth posted a 14-win season two years after losing 21 games.
Jim Leyland replaced Trammell as manager in October, two months before closer Todd Jones, who spent five seasons in Detroit from 1997-2001, signed a two-year deal with the Tigers. Veteran left-hander Kenny Rogers also joined the Tigers in late 2005, bringing 190 career wins and a 4.21 lifetime ERA to the club's 2006 rotation. |
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| 2006 |
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In terms of raw wins, the Tigers put together one of the biggest turnarounds in baseball history with their run from 43 wins in 2003 to 95 in 2006. Emotionally, the comeback rekindled baseball fever in Detroit, starting with a 16-9 record in April and gaining momentum with a 17-2 stretch over the summer. A late-season fade cost the Tigers an AL Central title, but first-year manager Jim Leyland regrouped a hungry club to run off seven straight postseason wins to reach the World Series for the first time since 1984. Leyland was named AL Manager of the Year, while 17-game winner Justin Verlander became the Tigers' first rookie of the year since 1978.
Chris Shelton was the toast of baseball in April with nine home runs in the first 13 games. Carlos Guillen became the first Tiger in six years to hit for the cycle. Free-agent addition Kenny Rogers threw 23 scoreless innings over three playoff starts, something no pitcher had accomplished since 1981. Even in World Series defeat, thanks in part to a record five errors from Tiger pitchers, Detroit benefitted from Sean Casey, whose 9-for-17 series performance established a club record. Likewise, Craig Monroe's five postseason homers set a franchise standard.
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History
